Job Opportunities

Sustainable Marine Solutions

Sustainable Marine Solutions is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to play a leading role in a five-year project, “Cooperative Research and Management for Fish Spawning Aggregations in the Gulf of America,” recently funded by the RESTORE Science Program. The project team of scientists, fishers, and resource managers will work cooperatively to verify, characterize, monitor, and model multi-species fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) in the Gulf aiming to produce actionable science to facilitate FSA management and conservation.

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CODAR Ocean Sensors

CODAR Ocean Sensors seeks to fill an algorithm and software engineering role. They are seeking candidates ranging from entry level, including recent graduates, to mid-level applicants with a B.S. and approximately four-to-five years of experience or a graduate degree. The role involves algorithm development and software engineering related to CODAR’s HF radar systems and data products.

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University of Southern Mississippi – Visiting Instructor or Assistant Teaching Professor

The Visiting Instructor or Assistant Teaching Professor (if holding a doctoral degree) for Hydrographic Science is a full-time, 12-month faculty position within The Division of Marine Science in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi. This position primarily serves the undergraduate program in Oceanography and Ocean Mapping at the Gulf Park campus and also supports the graduate program in Hydrographic Science at Stennis Space Center. The position is intended to begin in the Fall 2026 semester.

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in hydrography, oceanography, or a related field. Two (2) years of hydrographic surveying experience. Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license, Mississippi or U.S. Coast Guard boat license, and be able to pass a NASA background check.

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HelloGov – Sr. Cloud and Data Engineer

We are seeking a Sr. Cloud & Data Engineer with a background in software engineering, cloud computing, and data science to support the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) office within National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Candidate must possess a Public Trust clearance.

• Perform software development for IOOS Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC)-related open source software packages in Python (e.g. ioos_qc, compliance_checker, ioos_code_lab) and other programming/scripting languages (e.g. Java, JavaScript, UNIX shell). Apply knowledge of Python data and data science tools – the ‘Scientific Python’ suite of tools in particular – to data management challenges and the needs of the IOOS DMAC system and associated DMAC community (Regional Association (RA) data managers, commercial partners, and users/stakeholders of IOOS’ data). Serve in a maintainer role for selected IOOS and IOOS-affiliated open source software projects hosted on GitHub.
• Contribute to the design and development of data distribution systems for DMAC that leverage commercial cloud-based services. Advance the IOOS DMAC system’s ability to deliver ocean observation and forecast data to users efficiently and effectively using the cloud. Participate in the technical oversight of work performed by IOOS commercial partners on cloud-related projects.
• As a member of the IOOS DMAC team, translate stakeholder requirements into real-world technical solutions. Improve visualizations of IOOS’ oceanographic datasets using GIS or similar mapping or plotting tools, both for end users and in planning scenarios for observing system build out.
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Postdoctoral Positions

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Phytoplankton Ecology – Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Coastal Water Health lab at
the Harte Research Institute. The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research under the
auspices of a new grant that focuses on understanding dynamics of Aureoumbra
lagunensis (“brown tide”) blooms in the Baffin Bay-Upper Laguna Madre ecosystem of
Texas. The postdoctoral researcher will gain experience in project management, project
development, mentoring (of undergraduate/graduate students) and stakeholder
engagement. Opportunities also exist for comparative analysis of phytoplankton dynamics
between estuarine systems that vary in e.g., freshwater inflow, nutrient loadings, etc.

You will need to submit a cover letter describing your qualifications, a CV and a list of three
references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is
filled. For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Mike Wetz at
michael.wetz@tamucc.edu.

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Marine Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Scientist

We seek to hire a postdoctoral researcher to play a leading role in a 5-year project, Cooperative Research and Management for Fish Spawning Aggregations in the Gulf of America, recently funded by the RESTORE Science Program. The project team of scientists, fishers, and resource managers will work cooperatively to verify, characterize, monitor, and model multi-species fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) in the Gulf aiming to produce actionable science to facilitate FSA management and conservation. Sustainable Marine Solutions, LLC (SMS) is leading the field component of the project which complements modelling led by Rebecca Asch, PI, at East Carolina University, engagement led by The Nature Conservancy, and in partnership with managers at the Gulf Council and the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

To apply for this position, applicants should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a two-page statement of interest, and names and contact information for three references. Applications should be submitted by email to Will Heyman, Sustainable Marine Solutions, LLC. wheyman@sustainable-marinesolutions.com. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis but should be submitted by April 24th for full consideration.

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The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Texas A&M, and Florida State University – Postdoctoral Researcher

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Texas A&M, and Florida State University invite applications for postdoctoral or junior research positions to work as part of a broad effort funded by the National Academy of Sciences to apply existing and emerging observations to improve operational forecasting of the Gulf of America ocean dynamics, including the Loop Current and its eddies. They are seeking individuals that are familiar with analyzing oceanographic data to perform detailed model outputs and observations comparisons to quantify model skills. The observations mostly consist of gliders, floats, drifters, PIES, and high frequency radar data that are, will be, or have been recently collected by the consortia.

The applicant is not required to have any numerical modeling background; most important is deep understanding of observations and how they were acquired. The applicant must hold a Ph.D. or must have submitted his/her/their doctoral theses for assessment prior to joining. The ideal candidates should have a strong background in dynamical oceanography and data analysis and must have the ability to work comfortably with Python/Matlab/GrADS or similar analysis software. The applicant must be motivated, have the ability to work independently, and be willing to cooperate with peers and students in the team. A major emphasis of this search is on the potential for independent and creative research by the candidate. Early career postdocs will be exposed to research and career opportunities. The position can hosted be at any of the 3 institutions, but close collaboration between the three institutions is essential and expected. Salaries and benefits will be commensurate with the candidates’ experience. Expressions of interest should be directed to Dr. Amy Bower at abower@whoi.edu.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) – Postdoctoral Associate

Applications for the postdoctoral fellowship program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) are currently being accepted! MBARI’s mission is to advance marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Our work focuses on diverse areas of marine and engineering research—from atoms to ecosystems. MBARI is dedicated to the development of innovative instrumentation, systems, and methods supporting scientific research in the oceans. Teams of scientists and engineers are collaborating to build innovative tools to transform what we know about ocean processes and ocean health. Ongoing programs at MBARI span marine robotics, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and engineering. Postdoctoral Fellows conduct independent research in association with one or more mentors to advance their training and career development while bringing new perspectives and skills to collaborations within MBARI. Applicants should connect with potential research sponsors at MBARI, see list below, for guidance on project feasibility, relevance to ongoing research projects, resource availability, and expected start date. Offers will be made to selected candidates from the fields of biological, chemical and physical oceanography, marine geology, and engineering. Candidates must be awarded a Ph.D. degree prior to commencing the two-year appointment starting between 2023 and 2024 and complete the fellowship onsite.

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NOAA; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences – Postdoctoral and Senior Associates

The National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research seeks a postdoctoral scientist in remote sensing photogrammetry of coastal and marine habitats using unoccupied autonomous systems. The program conducts research and syntheses to develop decision support tools, geospatial models, and data products to inform coastal ecosystem management. They use a suite of field sampling and remote-sensing tools, advanced underwater remote sensing and hydroacoustics technologies, underwater optics, autonomous underwater vehicles and scuba diving to design ecological assessments and experiments to understand impacts of stressors on coastal marine ecosystems. The primary focus for this opportunity will develop remote imaging techniques such as photogrammetry and structure-from-motion using airborne and underwater optics to develop high-resolution digital models for use in ecological research and modeling for the assessment of coral reef ecosystems and restoration.

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NRC Research Associateship Programs Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine sponsors awards for postdoctoral and senior researchers at participating federal laboratories and affiliated institutions.  These awards include generous stipends ranging from $45,000 – $80,000 per year for recent Ph.D. recipients, and higher for additional experience.  Limited graduate level awards are also available. These awards provide the opportunity for recipients to do independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the U.S. Research opportunities are open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and for some of the laboratories, foreign nationals.

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Fellowships and Internships

The principal objectives of the position will be to manage several molecular biology lab spaces to support NOAA’s growing efforts in ‘Omics. The incumbent will work regularly with NOAA and Cooperative Institute (CI) scientists to ensure lab spaces are fully operational and utilizable to their greatest capacity. A variety of ‘Omics tools (e.g., metabarcoding, metagenomics, & transcriptomics) are utilized within these labs to help meet mission objectives,
including environmental DNA, source tracking, coral conservation, and fisheries. The work will involve close collaboration with scientists at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), where the applicant will be physically stationed.

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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

The Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship supports emerging scientific leaders as they take risks on research ideas not yet tested, pursue unique collaborations, and build a network of colleagues who share their interest in improving offshore energy system safety and the well-being of coastal communities and ecosystems. Because the early years of a researcher’s career are a critical time, the relatively unrestricted funds and mentoring this fellowship provides help recipients navigate this period with independence, flexibility, and a built-in support network. They will be opening the 2021 Early-Career Research Fellowship Application Cycle with significant changes to the fellowship program structure by introducing a three-topic track system with application periods spread out over the year. The three tracks, aligned with the Gulf Research Program’s program areas, are:

• • • Human Health and Community Resilience
    • Environmental Protection and Stewardship
    • Offshore Energy Safety
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Department of Defense – Visualization of Coastal Data

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) performs research on ocean, estuarine, riverine, and watershed systems in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Department of Defense (DOD) Task Force in support of the Ocean Commission. A multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and support personnel work in CHL’s internationally known, unique facilities. This team has developed state-of-the-art experimental and computational models for solving water resource problems worldwide. Physical facilities of approximately 1.7 million square feet and high-performance computing facilities at the DOD Supercomputing Research Center (http://www.erdc.hpc.mil) are the basic infrastructure for producing cutting-edge products for successful coastal, inland water resources, and navigation management. CHL work, although primarily in support of the DOD and the Corp’s districts, also interfaces with other federal, state and local agencies, academia, conservation groups, and the general public, as appropriate. The Research Participation Program for USACE-ERDC-CHL provides opportunities to participate in new and on-going applied research and development projects. Research projects range from design guidance to three-dimensional computational models. Focus is placed on inland and coastal navigation, military logistics over the shore, dredging, flood control, storm and erosion protection, waterway restoration, fish passage, hydro-environmental modeling, water/land management, and other water and sediment-related issues facing the nation.

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Department of Defense – Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Fellow

The Environmental Laboratory (EL) is one of the seven laboratories of U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (USACE-ERDC), which is the Army Corps of Engineers’ integrated research and development (R&D) organization. EL provides solutions to environmental challenges for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Nation through environmental science and engineering research and development. Researchers in EL conduct research in ecosystem science and technology, environmental resiliency, environmental sensing, ecological modeling and forecasting, risk and decision science, environmentally sustainable material, systems biology, climate change, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental security. Under the guidance of a mentor, you will participate in a coastal research project focused on developing stochastic assessments of coastal water levels and erosion risk under past, present and future climates.

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